Limestone Ledger for 12/7/17

Published 4:00 am Thursday, December 7, 2017

FRIDAY

Beans and rice

Tanner United Methodist Church will be giving one pound of beans and rice to every adult that comes by 19607 Huntsville-Browns Ferry Road from 9–11 a.m. Friday, Dec. 8. No questions asked.

SATURDAY

Concert

Barnett Band & Co. will perform from 6:30–10 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 9, at West Side Village Community Center, Alabama 99 in the Owens community. All ages are welcome. No smoking, drugs or alcohol permitted. Those who attend are asked to bring finger foods to share at the break. More information: 256-771-0586.

UPCOMING

Charity drive

The “Hearts to Help Our Homeless” charity drive will be held 9 a.m.–noon Saturday, Dec. 16, at Lion’s Den Gym in Athens. Monetary donations, restaurant gift cards, large or extra-large all-weather gloves, men’s and women’s coats, blankets, socks and other items accepted. Donors are asked to tie a red ribbon around their donations in lieu of wrapping. More information: Tina Swann, 256-777-1564.

ONGOING

Jingle Paws

Athens-Limestone Animal Shelter is raising funds through “Deck the Halls with Jingle Paws.” Pet owners may submit 4×6 photos of pets for $10 each. Photos will be laminated and used to decorate one of three Christmas trees in North Pole Stroll or Ardmore Tinsel Trail. All animals permitted. The shelter’s goal is 300 photos by month’s end. More information (including registration forms): Jennifer White, jennifercwhite@ymail.com; limestonepets.org.

Canned food drive

Salon Eclipse is holding a canned food and toy drive from now until Dec. 15. Anyone who brings in 10 canned food items will receive $10 off their hair service. Anyone who brings in a new, unwrapped children’s toy will receive a $10 gift certificate. More information: Amy Downs Horton, amydowns93@gmail.com; 256-874-5179; 256-233-4020.

Tree sale

Boy Scouts Troop 236 is selling Christmas trees at the corner of East Limestone and Capshaw roads at the following times: 5–9 p.m. Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays; 9 a.m.–9 p.m. Saturdays; and 1–5 p.m. Sundays. Sale ends Sunday, Dec. 17. Prices are as follows: 4–5 feet tall for $25; 5–6 feet tall for $35; 6-7 feet tall for $55; 7-8 feet tall for $65; and 8–9 feet tall for $95. Proceeds to support Troop 236.

North Pole Stroll

The Athens North Pole Stroll will be available daily until 9 p.m. Dec. 1–30 in Big Spring Park, Athens. This free community event features decorated trees and Christmas scenes by the duck pond and is hosted by Lowe’s, the City of Athens, Keep Athens-Limestone Beautiful and Athens-Limestone County Tourism Association. Santa will visit Dec. 16.

Letters to Santa

The News Courier is accepting letters to Santa from children in Athens and Limestone County. Letters may be handwritten and delivered to the office at 410 W. Green St., Athens, or emailed to ancsantaletters@gmail.com.

Chili Challenge

Registration is now open for the Athens High School Chili Challenge to be held Feb. 24. All businesses and community groups are eligible to sign up as challengers. Entry fee is $50 and includes five chili challenge tickets. Reserve a spot by calling 256-232-5017 or visiting the hospice office at 405 S. Marion St.

SNAP signup

Retired Senior Volunteer Program is taking applications for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) for ages 60 and older. The SNAP program helps low-income people buy the food they need to stay healthy. Call 256-232-7207 or come by the RSVP office at 409 W. Washington St. in Athens Mondays through Thursdays to complete the application.

Tutors wanted

RSVP is recruiting people 55 and older who would like to be a school tutor at the school of their choice. More information: RSVP, 256-232-7207.

Tanner book-lending machine

Athens-Limestone Public Library staff will be at the Tanner book-lending machine Fridays from 9:45–10:45 a.m. to make library cards, teach patrons how to use the book-lending machine and answer questions about library services. More information: Visit www.ALCPL.org or call 256-232-1233.

Stability classes

East Limestone Senior Center will host SilverSneakers stability class from 11:30 a.m.–12:15 p.m. every Thursday at 25820 Nick Davis Road. SilverSneakers is a group exercise class designed to keep participants safe on their feet. The class will include standing and walking exercises designed to decrease the risk of falling. Donations accepted. More information: 256-614-3530.

Food pantry

The Women Empowering Women food pantry will be open 11 a.m.–1 p.m. Mondays through Fridays and the second Saturday of each month. More information and to contribute: Janice Williams, 256-233-5995; wew5995@gmail.com; www.womenempoweringwomenofalabama.org.

CHRISTMAS

Tree lighting

The annual Limestone County Commission tree lighting will take place 5 p.m. today on the east side of the courthouse. Jamie and Gloria Cooper of ZTV will return as Masters of Ceremony. Athens High School choir will perform, with visits from Mother Christmas, Frosty the Snowman, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer and Santa Claus. Ornaments from area students will be on display.

Christmas parade

Trustmark Athens Christmas Parade will begin 6 p.m. tonight at Athens High School and continue through downtown Athens. The parade will include floats, horses, firetrucks, marching bands, vintage vehicles and more. The theme is “Winter Wonderland.” Grand marshal is Athens Police Chief Floyd Johnson. Late entries still being accepted.

Christmas dinner

The American Legion Post 49 will hold its annual Christmas party/dinner at 6:30 p.m. tonight at the Post home. This event will take the place of the normal monthly meeting for December and is free to all members who have paid their 2018 membership dues. Members may bring their spouse or one guest. Payment of 2018 dues will be accepted at the door. More information: Rod Huffman, 256-233-3023.

Sippin’ Cider

This year’s Sippin’ Cider event will take place from 5–8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 9, in downtown Athens. Participants can vote on the merchant with the best cider concoction at the event, which will include music, store specials and crafts. The event is hosted by Athens Main Street.

Holiday home tour

The Seventh Annual Bells of Christmas Holiday Home Tour, sponsored by Athens Ladies Civitan, will take place from 1-5 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 10. Tickets are $15 in advance or $20 at the door. Proceeds support programs for special needs children and adults of Limestone County. More information: Carolyn Stair, 256-658-1985; Carol Malone, 256-777-2918.

Tree lighting

Lincoln-Bridgeforth Park Christmas Tree Lighting and Gift Giveaway will begin at 5 p.m. Monday, Dec. 11, in the park. Families in need of assistance will receive gifts from Santa, who will also dance on tables and lead children in singing. This event is sponsored by the Lincoln-Bridgeforth Park Committee, Athens Fire & Rescue, Athens Police Department, East Limestone band and more. Donations of new, unwrapped toys can be dropped off at any Athens Fire & Rescue station.

Christmas party

The Athens High School Class of 1967’s Christmas party will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 12, at Sweetest Things Tea Room. Those who wish to attend must call Linda at 256-232-2867 for a reservation.

Christmas Open House

Welleswood Venue will host its first Christmas Open House from 6–9 p.m. Friday, Dec. 15, at 1005 Elkton St., Athens. Christmas treats, free photos with Santa and more will be available. More information: Lisa Elkins, 256-616-2052.

MEETINGS

• Dixie Stitchers. Athens Dixie Stitchers’ Guild Meeting and Christmas Dinner will begin at 6 p.m. tonight at United Methodist Church on Lucas Ferry Road. Those who attend are asked to bring a quilting-related gift if they wish to participate in Dirty Santa. Gift must be valued at $20 or less. More information: Ann Locke, 256-444-0045.

• ALERA. Athens-Limestone Education Retirees Association will meet 9:30 a.m. Friday, Dec. 8, at the Athens Rec Center. Those who attend are asked to bring articles to be auctioned for the scholarship fund and school supplies or hygiene products for displaced and/or homeless students in Athens City or Limestone County schools systems. More information: 256-232-9216.

• NAACP. The annual meeting for Limestone NAACP will take place 1 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 9, at Athens-Limestone Public Library, 603 S. Jefferson St., in the Steelcase Room.

• Bondage Breakers. Bondage Breakers Ministry will host its “Final Call” women’s conference at 3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 9, at Athens-Limestone Public Library. More information: Pastor Cordell Hunter, 256-374-9412.

• Friendship Quilt Guild. The Friendship Quilt Guild of Athens will host their December meeting and potluck Christmas party Monday, Dec. 11, at the First Presbyterian Church Revival Center. Social time begins at 9:30 a.m. with the meeting at 10 a.m. Those who attend are asked to bring a side dish or dessert, and those who wish to participate in gift exchange are asked to bring a quilt-related gift valued at no more than $20. More information: 256-233-3113.

Limestone Ledger is a list of events hosted by nonprofit organizations. Items must be submitted in writing. Email submissions to newscouriersoundoff@gmail.com, fax to 256-233-7753 or bring to The News Courier, 410 W. Green St., Athens.